Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Pittsburgh, PA

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928 FXUS61 KPBZ 300700 AFDPBZ Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 300 AM EDT Thu May 30 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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Dry weather and moderating temperature is expected through Saturday under the influence of high pressure. Late Saturday through early next week will feature periodic shower and thunderstorm chances.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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KEY MESSAGES: - Mixing of drier air to the surface this afternoon may create slightly higher fire weather concerns. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Weak shortwave movement on the backside of an exiting upper level trough will continue to promote areas of stratocumulus east of Pittsburgh this morning. This cloud cover should wane with impinging high pressure, but its persistence will likely mitigate widespread morning fog development. The rest of the day is expected to be dry under the influence of high pressure. Dry advection aloft and at the surface will promote abundant sunshine, but residual cool advection will keep temperature around 5 degrees below the daily average. Afternoon humidity values could fall into the 30s and even upper 20s with peak mixing, but weak surface wind plus saturated grounds should keep fire weather concerns at bay.
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&& .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
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KEY MESSAGES: - Dry weather persists as temperature moderates. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday and Saturday will feature the approach and passage of brief shortwave ridging aloft that is wedged between the eastern seaboard trough and an approaching central plains shortwave trough. Moderating temperature is expected through Saturday when afternoon highs will be slightly above the daily average. Plenty of insolation will be seen Friday with the ridge axis overhead while Saturday features increasing high clouds as warm/moist advection ramps up ahead of the aforementioned shortwave trough.
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&& .LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
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KEY MESSAGES: - Shower and thunderstorm chances increase late Saturday into early next week. - Temperatures rebound back toward normal by Saturday. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ensemble guidance is coming closer into unison on the approach and passage of a weak shortwave trough late Saturday night through Sunday afternoon. Approach and passage of this feature (and its likely weak surface cold front) will promote shower and thunderstorm activity, though nocturnal arrival and excessive cloud cover Sunday should keep lightning probabilities lower (along with severe threats). There remains some uncertainty as shortwave strength and forward movement likely is tied somewhat to convective evolution over the lower Ohio River Valley Saturday. Quick passage of that trough should lend to broad ridge development just south of the region Monday into Tuesday. This synoptic pattern would favor above normal temperature with low probability afternoon thunderstorms that will be predicated on shortwave movement and convective evolution over the western Great Lakes. Much variability in outcomes is seen within model ensembles, which muddies any chance of entertaining severe probabilities. There is more consensus on the development of a notable upper low pressure system mid to late week that would pose a far greater probability for convective development and, to some extent, severe chances.
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&& .AVIATION /07Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Areas of IFR fog and stratus have developed near and east of a line from FKL-AGC-MGW, with lingering low level moisture behind an exiting shortwave trough. Light NW wind and dry advection should help to prevent fog formation for much of the area, through areas along and east of the line mentioned above should be last to see this dry advection and improving conditions. After any early morning fog and stratus dissipates, VFR is then expected Thursday and Thursday night as surface high pressure builds across the Upper Ohio Valley/Lower Great Lakes region. NW wind around 10kts on Thursday should become calm Thursday night under the high. .Outlook... VFR is expected through Saturday under high pressure. Restriction potential returns late Saturday and Sunday with crossing low pressure. && .PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. OH...None. WV...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Frazier NEAR TERM...Frazier SHORT TERM...Frazier LONG TERM...Frazier AVIATION...WM